The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-05
THE FORGED TALLY-SHEETS.
Judge Twins Charge to the Grand
Jurors Is Direct and Unqualified.
1t Is Thought Samuel E. Perkins Has Re-
vealed the Conspirators' Secrets-The So
cialistS Sunday Violation Investigated.

The Marion county grand jurors came together
again yesterday morning at o'clock to begin
their April session. They took seats In the
Criminal Court room and waited for some time
before they went to business, it being generally
that Judge Irwin had netting of
more than ordinary Importance to communicate
70 the jury. An unusually large attendance of
lawyers and others was noted. The Judge in the
meantime in his chamber adjoining the
courtroom. with stenoerapher and in half an
hour or so appeared and delivered the following:
Gentlemen of the grand jury: Before you re-
tire to take up the business of this session. de-
sire to call your attention to what is commonly
known as the 'tally-sheet forgery case
This matter was undergoing investigation in
the federal court until, by recent decision of
the United States Circuit Court of the district of
Indiana, it was held that court had no jurisdic-
ton. This has made it necessary for you,
gentlemen, to take up and prosecute this in
vestigation. 500
cit may be of no great Importance what par
ticular citizen shall hold office, or to what po-
litical organization, If any. he may belong. but
1t is of vital importance that the will Of the peo-
ple as expressed through the forms of law, shall
not be thwarted. To do, or attempt to Go this
by altering changing tally or poll
books of election boards is a grave crime. and
4pne that calls for the most thorough and
searching investigation at your hands, TO the
end that the guilty person or persons may be
brought to Justice, if possible. tits, therefore,
not . question of vindication of any individual
or party organization, but it is simply ques-
ton OF vindicaton of the law and furnishing
crime. Such work, it is to be supposed, would
most likely be consummated in secrecy. and it
may be difficult TO procure positive evidence OF
eye-witnesses to the crime, but the State is
often compelled to rely upon ,circumstantial
evidence, and circumstantial evidence is some
~ qc W
deuce .- .-zg
1T is not necessary to have such evidence
under which to return an Indictment as would
be required to convict person upon trial in
court. In the latter the evidence must be
such as to convince the jury of guilt beyondsall
reasonable doubt, but before the grand jury, if
the evidence is sufficient though circnmstantial.
to induce in your minds the belief of strong
probability of guilt you would be justified in
returning bill
1.-THE prosecuting attorney and his assistant
will point out to you the statute covering the
case and will give you such other legal infor-
nation concerning the Same as you may request.
SIN this matter, as in all others that may
come before you, the oath of Office which you
have taken as grand jurors, should bs your
criterion that you will present no person through
malice. hatred or ili-wll nor leave any person
unpresented through fear. favor or affection
II desire to briefly call your attention to
another matter. and that is the carrying of con-
cealed weapons. This is perncious habit, and
one tnaG loaQS TO serious consequences IN many
instances, and have no doubt to the unneces-
sary taking of human life. 1 desire that you
give the matter your attention"
The jurors, at the conclusion of the Judges
remarks, retired to the grand-jury room. Sam
uel E. Perkins, whose refusal to testify before
United States Commissioner Van Buren, regard
ing the tally-sheet forgeres, so long blocked
proceedings against the conspirators, had been
served with summons and was waiting in the
witness-room. Mr.. Perkins was before the jury
about an hour, and when he reAppeared, he step
ped lightly. His eye was clear, his manner al
most joyous. and his appearance was that of
one who had been relieved OF large amount of
oppressive Information.
When this important witness appeared in the
courthouse, yesterday, on his way to the grand
juryroom to testify. the consprators' gang evil
IDENTIFY knew OF suspected that he had been sum-
moned, and were on the lookout One of them
stood upon the courthouse steps. while others
were about the corridors, and Mr.. Perkins had
to run gauntlet of persons who looked and
acted as if very anxious to learn what he
intended to say. From the CONVEX
sation among them it was quite evident
that they had the impression that he was likely
to unbosom himself As for Mr. Perkins, it is to
be said that he has resisted telling the truth in
this matter as long as he could and when ne got
to q place where further resistance was not only
vain but dangerous, the impression is that he
left with the jurors all OF his valuable informa-
ton. In conversation with personal friend of
this witness, yesterday, the reporter told
that Perkins had paid out. since he first sum-
noned a witness before Commissioner Van
Buren,, over 81 900 in attorneysfees and expenses
in an endeavor TO avoid giving his testimony as
to the persons implicated in these forgeries.
He has even undergone imprisonment rather
than inform his political friends.
mir. Perkins," said this gentleman, ''played the
role of martyr. ana has really had severe les
son. l am convinced that he is thoroughly
cured of his penchant for ward politics. and will
never have any more entangling political ALI
ances Of the kind that connected him with these
taly-sheet forgers." He has. to some extent
been ntimidated by hints of personal violence
should he testify against them, but his relatives
and friends advised of these threatening
suggestions. and if any harm comes to him swift
punishment will be melted out to the perpetra
tors and advisers The citizens committee oil
one hundred have other witnesses quite as i'm
portant as Mr.. Perkins, and the revelations he
and they have made are not confined to the
| grand-jury room. Enough is known to definite
| ly fix the crime upon the guilty parties and the
| number will be slightly increased over those
| charged in the information that was filed before
| the United States commissioner.